Curious About HR's Role in Performance Reviews? Let's Discuss How It Works in Your Company

Dear Friends,

In our organization (MNC), the annual performance review of an employee is done by his/her immediate supervisor along with the Business Head. The HR plays no role in the review process except for facilitating the entire Performance Management Process.

My queries are:

1. Does HR play no role in the performance review process, in terms of rating and assessment?
2. Is HR just a facilitator and coordinator for this entire exercise?
3. Do all companies follow the same process?
4. If HR does play a role in this process, how and what is it?

Responses shall be highly appreciated.

Thanks,
Jigar

Dear Jigar,

In response to all your queries, I have answered each one below:

1. HR does have a role to play in the performance review exercise in terms of rating and assessment. HR generally provides suggestions on the review of a particular employee. HR can question how a person has been rated as a star or a poor performer.

2. HR plays a role of facilitator and coordinator only in the whole process. During the entire process, HR handles the calculations, fitment tasks, and defines appraisal policies.

3. In some companies, the Operations or Accounts departments handle appraisals.

4. HR lays down policies, criteria, and rating guidelines.

I hope I have answered to some extent.

Savita

Hi Jigar,

It's the HR who handles the entire process of Performance Appraisal, whether it's quarterly or annual. HR, along with the respective department head, devises the method of appraisal. Later, HR initiates the process, collects the data from the department head, and conveys the rating/results of the assessment to the department in the presence of the concerned employee.

Therefore, maybe your company did not have a responsible person before to take up the task. You should talk to the management, convey your interest, and slowly take up the responsibility.

All the best,
Padhma M

Hi,

Thanks for your prompt responses. The HR has already laid down the processes, rating guidelines, and review methods, and our entire Performance Management Process is online. However, we are more involved with guiding the line managers into doing effective reviews, collating data, and facilitating. We, as HR, have no say on the rating of the employee at all. Only the immediate supervisor and his Business Head decide that.

Is this how the majority of MNCs/Indian companies follow?

Thanks, Saumil